Habakkuk 3:3

¶ God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

God {H433} came {H935} from Teman {H8487}, and the Holy One {H6918} from mount {H2022} Paran {H6290}. Selah {H5542}. His glory {H1935} covered {H3680} the heavens {H8064}, and the earth {H776} was full {H4390} of his praise {H8416}.

God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Pa'ran. His splendor covers the sky, and his praise fills the earth.

God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth.

God came from Teman, And the Holy One from mount Paran. [Selah His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of his praise.

Habakkuk 3:3 is part of a magnificent prayer and psalm of the prophet Habakkuk, found in the third chapter of his book. This verse vividly describes a theophany, an awe-inspiring manifestation of God's presence and power, drawing on historical recollections of divine intervention.

Context

Chapter 3 of Habakkuk is a prayer of profound trust and awe, composed by the prophet in response to God's earlier pronouncements of judgment (through the Babylonians) and promises of ultimate deliverance. Habakkuk expresses his fear and trembling before God's impending actions but also his deep faith in the Lord's character. Verse 3 initiates a grand vision of God's coming, recalling past mighty acts that serve as a foundation for hope in future divine intervention. The geographical references, Teman (a region in Edom) and Mount Paran (located in the Sinai peninsula), evoke the historical context of God's dramatic appearance to Israel during the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. This imagery reminds the reader of God's powerful presence with His people in the wilderness, as described in passages like Exodus 19:16.

Key Themes

  • Divine Majesty and Power: The verse paints a picture of God's overwhelming glory, so vast it "covered the heavens." This speaks to His supreme authority and incomparable power over all creation.
  • Theophany and Holy Presence: The "Holy One" coming from specific locations signifies a powerful, personal, and tangible manifestation of God. It emphasizes His transcendence and immanence—both beyond creation and actively involved within it.
  • Remembrance of God's Past Acts: By recalling God's historical appearances (like at Sinai), Habakkuk grounds his hope in God's unchanging nature and His proven faithfulness to His covenant people. This act of remembering past deliverances is crucial for faith in times of crisis.
  • Universal Praise: The phrase "the earth was full of his praise" suggests that God's glory is so self-evident and magnificent that all creation naturally responds in adoration and acknowledgment of His greatness. This resonates with other scriptures that declare God's glory through nature, such as Psalm 19:1.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Selah" appears in this verse, as it does frequently in the Psalms. While its exact meaning is debated, it is generally understood to be a musical or liturgical notation, likely indicating a pause for reflection, contemplation, or an instrumental interlude. It serves as a cue for the reader or worshiper to meditate on the profound truth just stated.

The Hebrew word for "glory" (kabod) carries the sense of weight, substance, honor, and splendor. When applied to God, it refers to the visible manifestation of His inherent greatness, majesty, and divine attributes. The idea that His kabod "covered the heavens" points to an overwhelming, all-encompassing display of His divine presence.

Practical Application

Habakkuk 3:3 encourages believers today to remember God's mighty acts throughout history and in their personal lives. When facing daunting challenges or uncertain futures, meditating on God's proven power and faithfulness can fortify our faith. Just as His glory once filled the heavens and His praise filled the earth, so too does His presence and power remain active and worthy of our adoration. This verse calls us to an attitude of worship and trust, knowing that the God who intervened powerfully in the past is the same God who will act on behalf of His people today, ultimately bringing about His promised new heavens and new earth.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 33:2

    And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.

  • Amos 1:12

    But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

  • Obadiah 1:9

    And thy mighty [men], O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.

  • Psalms 4:4

    Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

  • Jeremiah 49:7

    ¶ Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; [Is] wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?

  • Isaiah 6:3

    And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.

  • Psalms 68:17

    The chariots of God [are] twenty thousand, [even] thousands of angels: the Lord [is] among them, [as in] Sinai, in the holy [place].

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